CasinoCruzGirl

6 minutes ago, Danitroline said:

Well, Cruz Girl- I am psyched! The suite looks amazing- I'm drooling over the balcony. We bid on one just in the even that the giant balcony gods want  to smile upon us...

So glad you had a great trip!!!

Sunday cannot come soon enough!

I hope you win your bid. We got our congratulations upgrade email 3/4 days before and sailing was sold out so good luck and have a great time. Tell Michael in the casino hello from me 

1 hour ago, Danitroline said:

Thrilled that you are back!

How was the Casino- was she good to you???

 

Also, how late are slots open? I ma used to 24/7 NCL , I read that RCL closes even whe going into a sea day.

Thanks so much!!!

 

I wanted to also mention the slot host manager Michael was so much fun and the entire casino staff was wonderful. I ran a slot pull and had 33 people attend. When I asked a host if it was ok he offered to give me prizes to give out without me even asking him. He gave me cups keychains and t shirts which I thought was awesome 

23 minutes ago, Danitroline said:

Thrilled that you are back!

How was the Casino- was she good to you???

 

Also, how late are slots open? I ma used to 24/7 NCL , I read that RCL closes even whe going into a sea day.

Thanks so much!!!

 

Casino was eh lol I never win on cruises. One of my travel buddies did hit lucky ladies on BJ for $5K the last day. The slots were 24/7 even in port in St Maarten which surprised me. In San Juan it was closed until 3:30

7 minutes ago, mcoler181 said:

I know it might be like asking how longs a piece of string but how long generally would room service take to arrive?

 

Also, how do you order it? On the phone or can you do it through the TV/App?

We either ordered from our genie or the TV on Allure. Took about half an hour

day 7 sea day 

we actually went to the buffet for breakfast. Our genie Anna had told us the first day I don’t wanna see you in the buffet or MDR lol. It was really good though plenty of good options for breakfast. We went to the pool for a while and tried to stay out of the sun because of our sunburns. We had a bridge tour at 2:30. Also forgot to mention earlier in the week we had a tour of the kitchens. Dinner our last night was again at samba grill genie had us set up for Izumi sushi but I don’t eat sushi so charged to Samba because we loved it. Try the cheesecake strawberry parfait omg to die for. 

Because we were star star class we didn’t need to put our suitcases out a porter came to our room when we were leaving.

our last night was spent in the casino (shocking I know lol)

we we had a 10:30 am flight and Anna came to get us at 8 am with the porter who took our bags and we were off the ship in a flash. 

Some random things ill mention now.

i have cruised in suites on NCL many times and have had butlers. Royals Genies are NCL butlers on steroids. NCL butlers do nothing compared to what genies do.  She showed up every day multiple times at multiple venues to check on us. NCL butlers and Royals genies have no comparison. She actually gave US gifts when’s the last time an NCL butler gave someone a gift?

the ship was awesome. We were completely spoiled. I really can’t tell you how it would be to cruise in a regular cabin. Royal Caribbean’s star class experience is top notch. It was the smoothest sailing I have ever had never felt any rocking at all. Also because we were in an ATS we were able to see the aqua show several times from our balcony. Any questions please feel free to ask. 

again I apologize for my previous review being hijacked. I hope everyone enjoys this review without commercial interruptions 

day 6

labadee Haiti day. Wow this was a great day. It was hot and sunny out. We were taken by our genie to barefoot beach were we found some lounge chairs in the shade. I asked one of the workers how much the Mats were and he said they were free. He gave us 4 of them and we spent most of the afternoon floating in the refreshing water. We got very sunburned so make sure u have sunblock on. They had a buffet lunch set up from 11:30 to 1:30. Again so much food, steak, shrimp, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, salads, fruits all was excellent. We returned to the ship around 2:30 that afternoon showered hit the casino then had dinner at coastal kitchen and the ice show. It exceeded my expectations the skaters were fabulous.  My friends birthday was a week prior to the cruise and our genie Anna had a cake brought for dessert and when we got back to the cabin there was about 20 signs and decorations posted all over the room saying happy birthday

Day 5

san Juan day. We arrived in San Juan at 7 am to pouring rain. We had some breakfast in suite and then the rain stopped and the girls went out to shop a little and see umbrella street 

we had our port day in San Juan cut short and all aboard was at 1:00. Had some lunch at coastal kitchen and the casino opened at 3:30. Headed there before dinner which was at Sabor (Mexican). We had a variety of appetizers food and drinks were yummy.  We had the comedy show that night. Hysterical. Because we were star class our genie placed us right smack in center from row. My friends mom who was with us is from Italy and has a heavy scent. That’s all the first comedian needed to hear and he spent 15 minutes talking to her lol. If you don’t wanna be picked on do not sit in the front rows  he was really funny the 2nd comedian was ok not as good as the first one though. 

day 4 was sint marten day. We grabbed a van to Maho to watch the planes land. It was $32 round trip to do it this way. When we got there the beach was very crowded but they have a pool on the left side of the bar for $10 each we rented a chair and pool access for the day. It was a great day and I was really happy I didn’t have to deal with the crowd on the beach.  This is a perfect option. After returning back to the ship around 2 we went to Johnny rockets for lunch. I was surprised the casino was open that afternoon in port. Dinner was at chops this was an experience not to miss. Once the waiter knew we were star class he couldn’t give us enough food. He brought us so many appetizers and lobster tails and shrimp and steaks. We ate more on this cruise than I have ever before 

day 2

we had room service breakfast 5 out of the 7 days, eggs, bacon, sausage coffee, etc. out on our very roomy balcony.  After breakfast we headed down to the casino and played for a few hours (we have to earn our keep since we were on a comp cruise lol) but that’s what we enjoy doing some may say we are degenerate gamblers.  That’s actually how I met my friend. We met here on cruise critic 4 years ago talking about gambling and the first time we shared a cabin was in the Garden Villa on NCL Gem with 7 other women we met here on cruise critic.

the 3 other girls went to Mama Mia for the 2:30 show and were seated in the first row by our genie. I passed on going I wasn’t a fan of the movie so opted to not go. They enjoyed it.

dinner night 2 was in Izumi hibachi which I love. We had my host and his wife join us for dinner. Food was very good.

day 3 was another sea day breakfast on our balcony, some casino and pool time. We were invited by my host and his other guests (16 of us) to Giovanni’s table. Appetizers were served family style and we each ordered our main course. It was ok not my favorite Italian restaurant 

Anna our genie and fully stocked water and sodas and juices.  In addition to this “our bartender” called every afternoon to see what drinks we would like brought to our room. Everyday we also had snacks brought cheese and crackers, fruit, sushi, shrimp cocktail, nachos, cookies

Our bags arrived very quickly after putting our things away we went up to coastal kitchen for lunch. We then explored a little bit we had to check out the casino where we knew most of our time would be spent. If your a smoker you are able to smoke in the casino when it’s not even open which is very different than NCL. We then had our muster drill at 3:30 and sail away @ 4:30. After that at 5 pm our casino host had a party at Dazzles with drinks and snacks. Dinner the first night was the Samba Grill which was my favorite. The food was amazing. We actually ate here twice it was so good. 

• Ana handed us a folder with all the reservations she had made for us. Dinners and shows. She said I took it upon myself to book everything for you but feel free to change whatever you want. She escorted us to our suite about 10:30

I am reposting this because my original review was closed because it was hijacked. I’m hoping this will not happen again. The reason for reposting is because some may have questions and I truly want to share the fabulous time I had on the Allure of the seas and being Star class.

I’m going to do a short review of my Allure cruise May 26 - June 2.

i have an outside casino host who books all my casino trips. I met him 20 years ago at the Rio in Vegas. Last year he retired from caesars entertainment and him and his wife opened their own casino travel company.  I have been pretty loyal to NCL and getting comps on my own direct through casinos at sea.  My host bill sends out emails saying what cruises he will be sailing.  One of them was the May 26th Allure cruise. So I asked one of my friends if she wanted to go and she said yes and her mom and her daughter would join us.  I spoke to my host and said ok we are in what can you get us.  He was able to book us a Crown loft suite for $95 each WOW ok booked!!!!  About 3 months before the cruise we received the Royal Up email to bid on either the 1 bedroom ATS starting at $100 pp or the 2 bedroom ATS starting at $400 pp or the Star loft suite starting at $800 pp. didn’t make sense to bid on the 1 bedroom ATS because it was still Sky class and we would be giving up a bathroom and we thought bidding $800 pp for the Star loft was to expensive so we ended up bidding $500 pp for the 2 bedroom ATS which was star class. I played around with the bid in the next few weeks bidding up and down but settled on the $500 pp which was $100 over minimum. We figured if we got it it’s only $250 pp for the 4 of us since the bid is only for the first 2 passengers. Several days before our cruise I got the congratulations you’ve been upgraded email. We were so excited we could barely contain ourselves. 

We flew into Fort Lauderdale the day before from New Jersey and we decided to be cheap on our hotel and booked the Days Inn cruise port airport. DUMP don’t ever stay here. We waited over an hour for their free shuttle to the hotel. Once we got there I asked if they could put us in a low floor near an elevator room. They put us in the back on the 4th floor far far away from elevator. There was only 5 floors so no not a low floor. We put our bags in the room and headed to the hard rock casino via Uber which was $15. We had some dinner there and played for a bit but was so exhausted so headed to hotel to get some sleep.

cruise day was finally here hooray. The hotel had a shuttle to the port for $10 pp so we took that at 9 am and arrived at the port about 9:30. We were directed to the door that said “suites” once we told a porter we were star class he grabbed our bags and said follow me. About 10 am the doors opened and we along with our bags were ushered right through security and met with a women who took us to check in and then brought us upstairs to a suite waiting area. After 5 minutes our genie Anna Liao came to greet us. We knew after 3 minutes with her we loved her. 

On 5/9/2019 at 6:30 AM, Host Clarea said:

 

Ridiculous high or low?

Hi could you check your email. I emailed you about something. Thank you

10 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

You're missing the beginning.  Suite through casino host and an UP bid. Somewhere around $350 pp net

Thank you. It was $345 pp 

16 minutes ago, maggieq said:

You cruise in a suite and stay pre cruise at a days inn?   Unbelievable really especially considering what you paid for your suite. Why ruin your vacation by staying at a dump (your words) ?

 

 

Lol we needed to save money for gambling. And what we paid for the suite per person was less than a nice dinner for 2 at a steakhouse. You didn’t read my first paragraph of my review and our initial comp was for $95 pp.  And for the record I didn’t know it was a dump when I booked it. And I never said it ruined my vacation. Quite the contrary made the suite even better ❤️

2 hours ago, rockwallroses said:

Quick Question for Casino Cruz Girl---when you Bid Up--did you do the maximum??

2 hours ago, rockwallroses said:

Quick Question for Casino Cruz Girl---when you Bid Up--did you do the maximum??

No we bid $100 over minimum bid

7 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I think it holds eight. Oval with purple chairs.

 

No we didn’t sit there. There were only 4 of us.

2 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Now I want to read the Garden Villa Saga. 

Lol my lips are sealed

3 minutes ago, forgotmyCCname said:

Completely inappropriate and juvenile. Mods should block this .

I don’t want to be penalized for some person jumping in my review. It wasn’t my fault. I was just trying to write my experience and answer questions anyone might have.  I’m sorry

17 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I want a Genie

Lol I wish I could have taken her home

View of aqua show from our suite 

21 minutes ago, Tiggercat said:

How much do people tip their genies when they get such great service?  I am hoping to be in the Star class one day and don't want to undertip!  

For what they do compared to NCL butlers double the amount

7 minutes ago, AlexandNessa said:

To me this sums up the greed of NCL. Six adults in the Grand Villa ($$$$$), yet only the first 2 on the reservation get the perks. Ridiculous. 

Yep

Star class vs Haven is huge in what it includes. Unlimited WiFi for everyone in cabin even if there are 8 of you unlimited specialty dining for everyone UBP for everyone gratuities for everyone. As everyone saw on that awesome spreadsheet there’s no comparison   NCL seems to just include “some” things for first 2 guests even when we were in the Garden Villa 

6 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Great......!

 

Between Haven, Yacht Club and Star, these mainstream cruise lines are taking a bite out of the   More upscale cruise lines by offering that level of service.

 

While I do gamble on board, it’s not enough to have them “comp” me, or to reduce my fares.

 

As such, I’ve looked at booking Star Class but was always amazed at the price Royal charges for those cabins.  Their fares were SIGNIFICANTLY higher than those I’ve booked in both Haven and Yacht Club.

 

I do agree.  A good Concierge makes a big difference in the upscale experience.  I’ve always had great ones with NCL.

 

I’ve had Concierges make all my reservations prior to booking, but I quit doing that because I always change them.  Now, I just wait until I’m aboard to have them help me.  And, every one of them has checked on me whenever I’ve eaten in a specialty restaurant.  Sometimes it’s only to see if everything was to my liking, other times they actually fixed a minor shortcoming themselves if they saw something needed attention (like getting me a drink when they noticed my glass was empty).

 

Never had a Butler give me a gift, but have had a couple of concierges leave me some NCL swag in the cabin, which was nice.

 

I am a little jealous.  If I could upgrade a balcony cabin to a Haven cabin for $800 like you did with Royal, I wouldn’t sail a regular cabin again.  Good for you.

 

Allure is a big ship.  I sailed her the first year she hit the seas.

We actually won our royalup bid upgrade. We paid very little for our cruise. The perks alone we got were $800 pp if you added it all together. There were 4 of us so with the bid of $1000 it only cost us $250 each a no brained. We were lucky very lucky we got it